A great primary source written by Usamah who worked under Nur al-din and then later Saladin. He writes of a world where the first generation of crusaders have gotten used to living in the Near East. There are new crusaders arriving and are horrified by what they see. The book is about events that happen in Usamah's life and to those living around him.

While I can appreciate the views from 'the other side' it was required reading and I couldn't stand the constant may he be blessed, rest in peace, curse them, curse this.

1183

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... = كتاب الاعتبار

Not all that helpful. Some interesting sections but essentially a series of war stories by a warrior.

Primarily rated for the clarity of translation and of presentation.

This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in Arab history. Usamah Ibn-Munqidh's Kitab al-I'tibar shows us a little about courtier life in the 12th century. There are sections that are gripping, parts that ramble, and others that are markedly ordinary, but it feels of its time in a way that's compelling.

A memoir written by someone on the other side of the Crusades. These memoirs of a Syrian royal provide an interesting picture of life between the first and second Crusade and how the Arab kingdoms in the area lived. It is one of the best sources for how the Arabs regarded the invaders, both in peace and in war. Not only of interest to historians, this book can be read and appreciated by anyone wanting to know more about the Crusades.

The writing was fine and the translation was good. But I just didn't care for the format. It didn't read like an auto-biography. It was written more in diary or journal from. A random collection of stories from the man's life.

A hard to read first hand account of the travels of a Muslim knight in the era of the crusades. I did not enjoy this book but did learn from it. Not recommended